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2022 NFL Draft Wrap Up: UCF Charges Back on Boise State

After a near three-hour weather delay on Thursday, UCF fell behind Boise State early. The Knights charged back to give new head coach Gus Malzahn his first win for UCF.

There was plenty of future NFL talent on display at the Bounce House.

Boise State

BOISE STATE BRONCOS

28   CB        Kekaula Kaniho   Sr     5-10  182

Kaniho was one of my favorite nickel corners a year ago. He is normally very solid in man-to-man coverage. Kaniho did get beat by Jaylon Robinson on a 48-yard completion. He was later ejected for targeting after delivering a dirty hit to Robinson in the fourth quarter. Kaniho finished the game with eight tackles (six solos) and one PBU.

55   EDGE Shane Irwin            Sr     6-3     254

Irwin has quick hands and disengages from blockers quickly. He finished with four tackles (two solos) and one TFL against UCF.

44   LB        Riley Whimpey     Sr     6-1     233

Whimpey is a productive linebacker for the Broncos but he isn’t much of an athlete. He is stocky and wears a cowboy collar. Whimpey tallied 11 tackles (six solos) on Thursday.

19   QB        Hank Bachmeier Jr      6-1     205

Bachmeier has a slow release and mechanical issues. He does have an above-average arm. However, Bachmeier isn’t going to win a foot race against many people. He threw for 263 yards on 25/39 passing with two scores and one pick.

68  G           Jake Stetz                 Sr     6-2     310

Stetz has quick feet for a big man and pulls well. He did get overwhelmed at times by the UCF interior defense.

2      WR      Khalil Shakir         Sr     6-0     190

Shakir may be the best Bronco pro prospect. He is a chess piece player. Shakir has strong hands, runs after the catch well, and has excellent balance. He notched five catches for 91 yards and two TDs against UCF.

24   RB       George Holani       RSo   5-11  200

Holani was ruled out of this game for undisclosed reasons.

UCF

UCF KNIGHTS

5      DL        Ricky Barber        Jr   6-3  250

The former Western Kentucky Hilltopper was active all night for UCF. He disrupted the Boise State offense several times. Barber finished with four tackles (one solo), 1.5 TFLs, and 1 batted ball.

1      EDGE Big Kat Bryant     Sr  6-4  247

Another transfer for the UCF defense, this time from Auburn. Big Kat Bryant looked noticeably better body-wise than the last time I saw him. He was attacking blockers and being very decisive on option-type plays. He forced Bachmeier off of his spot multiple times. Bryant tallied three tackles (one solo) and two QB hurries.

15   LB        Tatum Bethune   Jr   6-1  215

Bethune is a big hitter but gets sloppy on his form. He needs to wrap up better in space. Bethune finished with five tackles (one solo).

65   G           Cole Schneider    Sr  6-3  312

For a guard over 6’3”, Schneider plays with a low center of gravity. He wasn’t pushed off of his spot very often.

11   QB        Dillon Gabriel      Jr   6-0  186

Gabriel is undersized with an average arm. He is a decent enough athlete and made several plays with his feet in this game. Gabriel does stay patient in the pocket and gets through his progressions well. He made a colossal error on the opening drive. Gabriel severely underthrew a ball that led to a 100-yard TD the other way. At best I think Gabriel is a late day three prospect. Gabriel did overcome it however and led his team to the win. He finished 25/37 for 318 yards with four TD passes and two INTs. Gabriel also had 64 yards rushing.

1      WR      Jaylon Robinson   Sr  5-9  163

Robinson is quicker than a hiccup. He has soft hands and big-time speed. Robinson caught a nice 50/50 ball for a TD in the third quarter. I just struggle projecting skinny receivers and he certainly is that.

 

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